Colorado minimum wage 2025
The Colorado minimum wage in 2025 is $14.81. CO Division of Labor Standards and Statistics
Colorado local minimum wage rates in 2025 for Denver city and county, including the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood area, minimum wage is $18.81 and Edgewater’s minimum wage is $16.52. CO Division of Labor Standards and Statistics
Colorado Constitution Article XVIII, Section 15, requires that the state’s minimum wage be increased annually for inflation. The minimum wage adjustments are based on changes in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), All Items, for the Denver-Boulder-Greeley combined metropolitan statistical area as published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The changes to the minimum wage based on the cost of living adjustment will take effect on January 1 of each year. CO Constitution, Art. XVIII, Section 15; CO Dept. of Labor and Employment – Minimum Wage
Colorado employers must also comply with federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) minimum wage laws, which currently sets the federal rate at $7.25. See FLSA: Minimum Wage
If an employer chooses to pay employees minimum wage, the employer must pay those employees in accordance with the lawful minimum wage law, either federal or state, that results in the employees being paid the higher wage.In most instances, Colorado minimum wage requirements will apply, as it generally guarantees a higher wage rate for employees than the federal law wage rate.
Tip minimum wage
Colorado’s minimum wage for tipped employees in 2025 is $11.79. CO Dept. of Labor and Employment – Minimum Wage; Colorado COMPS Order.
Denver’s minimum wage for tipped employees in 2025 is $15.79 and Edgewater’s minimum wage for tipped employees is $13.50. CO Division of Labor Standards and Statistics
In addition to paying this wage, employers must ensure that tipped employees are paid the regular minimum wage rate when the tipped wage rate is combined with tips received. If the tipped wage plus tips does not meet the regular minimum wage threshold, the employer is required to make up the difference.
Employees are eligible to be paid the tipped minimum wage if they regularly receive $30 in tips per month. CO Constitution Art. XVIII, Section 15; CO Statute 8-6-106; CO Reg. 7 CCR 1103-1-1.10. If an employer deducts credit card fees from tips paid for by customers via credit cards, the employer may not pay employees the tipped minimum wage. CO Reg. 7 CCR 1103-1-1.10.
Typically, tips are considered the property of the employee(s) that receive them and the employer cannot exert ownership or control over them. However, Colorado law allows an employer to claim ownership or control over tips or gratuities if it provides proper notice to the general public. An employer provides proper notice if it posts a printed card that is 12 inches by 15 inches in size in a conspicuous location that states that tips are the property of the employer and not the employee. CO Statute 8-4-103(6); CO Dept. of Labor & Employment: Tipped Employees.
Tip pooling and sharing
Colorado wage law allows employers to require their employees to pool and share tips with other employees who customarily and regularly receive tips. CO Statute 8-4-103(6); CO Reg. 7 CCR 1103-1-1.10 However, if an employer allows employees that do not customarily and regularly receive tips, such as mangers or food preparers, to participate in the tip pool, it may not rely on the tips as credits for minimum wage purposes for any of the participating employees. CO Reg. 7 CCR 1103-1-1.10
Subminimum wage
Employees with disabilities
Colorado minimum wage laws allow employers to pay employees who have been certified by the Colorado Department of Labor & Employment as being less efficient due to a physically disability a subminimum wage rate that is not less 15% below the standard minimum wage, less any applicable lawful credits. CO Statute 8-6-108.5(2)
Trainees
Colorado laws do not allow employees to pay trainees a wage rate below the regular standard wage. Employers must pay trainees the standard minimum wage rate, unless otherwise exempt.
Apprentices
Colorado laws do not allow employees to pay trainees a wage rate below the standard minimum wage. Employers must pay trainees the standard minimum wage rate, unless otherwise exempt.
Learners
Colorado minimum wage laws do not allow employers to pay learners less than the standard minimum wage. Employers must pay trainees the standard minimum wage rate, unless otherwise exempt.
Student learners
Colorado minimum wage laws do not allow employers to pay student learners less than the standard minimum wage. Employers must pay trainees the standard minimum wage rate, unless otherwise exempt.
Student workers
Colorado minimum wage laws do not allow employers to pay student workers less than the standard minimum wage. Employers must pay trainees the standard minimum wage rate, unless otherwise exempt.
